USHL

Chicago, IL – With the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Chicago Steel alumnus (2018-20) Owen Power. Power is the fourth USHL alumnus selected with the first overall pick of the Draft, joining USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) alumni Rick DiPietro (New York Islanders, 2000), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs, 2016) and Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils, 2019). 

“Owen Power is a great talent and being selected first overall is not only an honor for him but the USHL as well,” said USHL President & Commissioner Bill Robertson. “We’re ecstatic for Owen, his family, the Chicago Steel and the Buffalo Sabres organizations and are excited to see what is next in Owen’s development both on and off the ice.” 

Power was named the USHL Defenseman of the Year in his second season with the Steel (2019-20) as he led all league defensemen with 40 points (12-28-40). During Power’s first season in the league, the then 15- and 16-year old entered the league with 25 points (11-14-25) and earned a spot on the All-USHL Second Team. 

Last season was Power’s first at University of Michigan where the freshman blue liner tallied 16 points (3-13-16), earning a spot on the Big Ten All-Rookie and All-Big Ten Second Teams. Power also was part of Team Canada’s Gold Medal winning team at the 2020 World Championships.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the 2020-21 season will be the USHL's 19th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league. The USHL had 51 players selected at the 2020 NHL Draft, marking the third-straight season with 50-or-more USHL players selected in the Draft. More than 800 league alumni are currently on NCAA Division I rosters, further establishing the USHL as the world’s foremost producer of junior hockey talent.